Base vs. Vile: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Base often refers to something morally low or lacking in honor, while vile implies extreme repulsiveness, wickedness, or offensiveness.
Key Differences
The word "Base" typically connotes a lack of moral principles, often suggesting cowardice or meanness. "Vile," on the other hand, is more intense, signifying something thoroughly despicable, disgusting, or morally reprehensible.
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Nov 30, 2023
In linguistic terms, "base" can also mean fundamental or foundational, without a moral implication. However, "vile" almost exclusively carries a strong negative moral judgment, used to express extreme disgust or abhorrence.
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Nov 30, 2023
Historically, "base" has been used in a variety of contexts, from describing low-ranking individuals to implying something is of little value. "Vile" has consistently been used to describe the most morally repugnant acts or characteristics.
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Nov 30, 2023
The emotional response elicited by "base" is often one of disappointment or disdain. In contrast, "vile" typically evokes a stronger reaction, such as revulsion or profound moral outrage.
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Nov 30, 2023
In cultural discourse, "base" is sometimes used to critique behavior or attitudes lacking in nobility or virtue. "Vile" is reserved for actions or attitudes that are seen as fundamentally against societal norms or ethics.
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Nov 30, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Moral Implication
Implies a lack of honor or morality, often mild.
Indicates extreme immorality or wickedness.
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Intensity of Negative Connotation
Generally mild to moderate negativity.
Extremely negative and harsh.
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Nov 30, 2023
Usage Variability
Can have neutral meanings (e.g., fundamental base).
Almost exclusively negative with no neutral connotations.
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Nov 30, 2023
Emotional Response
Elicits disdain or disappointment.
Provokes disgust or deep moral outrage.
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Nov 30, 2023
Cultural Perception
Seen as lacking nobility or virtue.
Considered repugnant and against societal norms.
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Base and Vile Definitions
Vile
Wicked or Sinful
His vile intentions were hidden behind a charming facade.
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Nov 22, 2023
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Vile
Thoroughly Objectionable
He was known for his vile temper and cruel words.
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Nov 22, 2023
Base
The part of a plant or animal organ that is nearest to its point of attachment.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A supporting part or layer; a foundation
A skyscraper built on a base of solid rock.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A basic or underlying element; infrastructure
The nation's industrial base.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The fundamental principle or underlying concept of a system or theory; a basis.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A fundamental ingredient; a chief constituent
A paint with an oil base.
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Oct 19, 2023
Vile
Causing physical or mental repulsion; horrid.
I glimpsed a vile squid-like creature in the depths.
Vile taste
Vile smell
Vile smile
Vile substance
Vile weather
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The fact, observation, or premise from which a reasoning process is begun.
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Oct 19, 2023
Vile
Low; base; worthless; mean; despicable.
A poor man in vile raiment.
The craft either of fishing, which was Peter's, or of making tents, which was Paul's, were [was] more vile than the science of physic.
The inhabitants account gold but as a vile thing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Vile
Morally base or impure; depraved by sin; hateful in the sight of God and men; sinful; wicked; bad.
Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee ?
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(Baseball) Any one of the four corners of an infield, marked by a bag or plate, that must be touched by a runner before a run can be scored.
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Oct 19, 2023
Vile
Morally reprehensible;
Would do something as despicable as murder
Ugly crimes
The vile development of slavery appalled them
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Oct 19, 2023
Vile
Thoroughly unpleasant;
Filthy (or foul or nasty or vile) weather we're having
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The portion of a social organization, especially a political party, consisting of the most dedicated or motivated members.
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Oct 19, 2023
Vile
Causing or able to cause nausea;
A nauseating smell
Nauseous offal
A sickening stench
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A facial cosmetic used to even out the complexion or provide a surface for other makeup; a foundation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(Architecture) The lowest part of a structure, such as a wall, considered as a separate unit
The base of a column.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(Linguistics) A morpheme or morphemes regarded as a form to which affixes or other bases may be added.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The side or face of a geometric figure to which an altitude is or is thought to be drawn.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The number that is raised to various powers to generate the principal counting units of a number system. The base of the decimal system, for example, is 10.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The number raised to the logarithm of a designated number in order to produce that designated number; the number at which a chosen logarithmic scale has the value 1.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Any of a class of compounds whose aqueous solutions are characterized by a bitter taste, a slippery feel, the ability to turn litmus blue, and the ability to react with acids to form salts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A substance that can donate a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
One of the nitrogen-containing purines (adenine and guanine) or pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine, and uracil) that occurs attached to the sugar component of DNA or RNA.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Situated at or near the base or bottom
A base camp for the mountain climbers.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Having or showing a lack of decency; contemptible, mean-spirited, or selfish.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
To find a basis for; establish
Based her conclusions on the report.
A film based on a best-selling novel.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(cosmetics) Foundation: a cosmetic cream to make the face appear uniform.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(chemistry) Any of a class of generally water-soluble compounds, having bitter taste, that turn red litmus blue, and react with acids to form salts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(baseball) One of the four places that a runner can stand without being subject to being tagged out when the ball is in play.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(architecture) The lowermost part of a column, between the shaft and the pedestal or pavement.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(botany) The end of a leaf, petal or similar organ where it is attached to its support.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(electronics) The name of the controlling terminal of a bipolar transistor (BJT).
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(geometry) The lowest side of a triangle or other polygon, or the lowest face of a cone, pyramid or other polyhedron laid flat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(mathematics) A number raised to the power of an exponent.
The logarithm to base 2 of 8 is 3.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(topology) A topological space, looked at in relation to one of its covering spaces, fibrations, or bundles.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(group theory) A sequence of elements not jointly stabilized by any nontrivial group element.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
In hand-to-hand balance, the person who supports the flyer; the person that remains in contact with the ground.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(linguistics) A morpheme (or morphemes) that serves as a basic foundation on which affixes can be attached.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A kind of skirt (often of velvet or brocade, but sometimes of mail or other armour) which hung from the middle to about the knees, or lower.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A line in a survey which, being accurately determined in length and position, serves as the origin from which to compute the distances and positions of any points or objects connected with it by a system of triangles.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(politics) A group of voters who almost always support a single party's candidates for elected office.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(Marxism) The forces and relations of production that produce the necessities and amenities of life.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(transitive) To give as its foundation or starting point; to lay the foundation of.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(legal) Not held by honourable service.
A base estate is one held by services not honourable, or held by villenage. Such a tenure is called base, or low, and the tenant is a base tenant.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Of little, or less than the usual, height; of low growth; as, base shrubs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Of little comparative value, as metal inferior to gold and silver, the precious metals.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Morally low. Hence: Low-minded; unworthy; without dignity of sentiment; ignoble; mean; illiberal; menial; as, a base fellow; base motives; base occupations.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Not held by honorable service; as, a base estate, one held by services not honorable; held by villenage. Such a tenure is called base, or low, and the tenant, a base tenant.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The bottom of anything, considered as its support, or that on which something rests for support; the foundation; as, the base of a statue.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Fig.: The fundamental or essential part of a thing; the essential principle; a groundwork.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The lower part of a wall, pier, or column, when treated as a separate feature, usually in projection, or especially ornamented.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
That extremity of a leaf, fruit, etc., at which it is attached to its support.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The positive, or non-acid component of a salt; a substance which, combined with an acid, neutralizes the latter and forms a salt; - applied also to the hydroxides of the positive elements or radicals, and to certain organic bodies resembling them in their property of forming salts with acids.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The exterior side of the polygon, or that imaginary line which connects the salient angles of two adjacent bastions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The line or surface constituting that part of a figure on which it is supposed to stand.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The number from which a mathematical table is constructed; as, the base of a system of logarithms.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A low, or deep, sound. (Mus.) (a) The lowest part; the deepest male voice. (b) One who sings, or the instrument which plays, base.
The trebles squeak for fear, the bases roar.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A place or tract of country, protected by fortifications, or by natural advantages, from which the operations of an army proceed, forward movements are made, supplies are furnished, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
That part of an organ by which it is attached to another more central organ.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A kind of skirt (often of velvet or brocade, but sometimes of mailed armor) which hung from the middle to about the knees, or lower.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The point or line from which a start is made; a starting place or a goal in various games.
To their appointed base they went.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A line in a survey which, being accurately determined in length and position, serves as the origin from which to compute the distances and positions of any points or objects connected with it by a system of triangles.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
To put on a base or basis; to lay the foundation of; to found, as an argument or conclusion; - used with on or upon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
To abase; to let, or cast, down; to lower.
If any . . . based his pike.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water;
Bases include oxides and hydroxides of metals and ammonia
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Installation from which a military force initiates operations;
The attack wiped out our forward bases
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Lowest support of a structure;
It was built on a base of solid rock
He stood at the foot of the tower
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Place that runner must touch before scoring;
He scrambled to get back to the bag
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(numeration system) the positive integer that is equivalent to one in the next higher counting place;
10 is the radix of the decimal system
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(anatomy) the part of an organ nearest its point of attachment;
The base of the skull
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained;
The whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The bottom side of a geometric figure from which the altitude can be constructed;
The base of the triangle
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The most important or necessary part of something;
The basis of this drink is orange juice
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The place where you are stationed and from which missions start and end
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
An intensely anti-western terrorist network that dispenses money and logistical support and training to a wide variety of radical Islamic terrorist group; has cells in more than 50 countries
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed;
Thematic vowels are part of the stem
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The stock of basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning of a country or area;
The industrial base of Japan
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The principal ingredient of a mixture;
Glycerinated gelatin is used as a base for many ointments
He told the painter that he wanted a yellow base with just a hint of green
Everything she cooked seemed to have rice as the base
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A flat bottom on which something is intended to sit;
A tub should sit on its own base
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(electronics) the part of a transistor that separates the emitter from the collector
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Serving as or forming a base;
The painter applied a base coat followed by two finishing coats
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(used of metals) consisting of or alloyed with inferior metal;
Base coins of aluminum
A base metal
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Of low birth or station (`base' is archaic in this sense);
Baseborn wretches with dirty faces
Of humble (or lowly) birth
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Not adhering to ethical or moral principles;
Base and unpatriotic motives
A base, degrading way of life
Cheating is dishonorable
They considered colonialism immoral
Unethical practices in handling public funds
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality;
That liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble
Taking a mean advantage
Chok'd with ambition of the meaner sort
Something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "base" describe a person's social status?
Historically, yes, indicating low social rank.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can "base" have non-negative meanings?
Yes, it can mean fundamental or foundational.
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Nov 30, 2023
What is a common usage of "vile" in literature?
To describe characters or actions that are morally despicable.
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Nov 30, 2023
What does "base" imply in moral terms?
Implies lack of moral principles or honor.
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Nov 30, 2023
How is "vile" perceived in society?
As representing the worst of moral offenses.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is "vile" ever used in a positive context?
No, it's always used negatively.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is "base" often used in everyday language?
Yes, but less frequently in its moral sense.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can "base" be a compliment?
Rarely, unless referring to foundational qualities.
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Nov 30, 2023
Are "vile" and "evil" synonymous?
Not exactly, but they share similar connotations.
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Nov 30, 2023
What emotions does "vile" typically evoke?
Disgust, revulsion, and moral outrage.
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Nov 30, 2023
What kind of actions are typically described as "vile"?
Actions that are extremely immoral or repugnant.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is "base" used in legal language?
Occasionally, to describe low moral character.
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Nov 30, 2023
How does media commonly use "vile"?
To describe extremely offensive or repugnant actions.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can "base" refer to a physical foundation?
Yes, in architectural or structural contexts.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can "base" be used in a technical context?
Yes, in describing fundamental elements or levels.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is "vile" a term used in religious texts?
Often, to describe profoundly immoral or sinful behavior.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 30, 2023
Does "base" have a specific literary usage?
Often used in literature to describe morally weak characters.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 30, 2023
Is "base" a common term in psychology?
Not particularly, except in discussing base instincts.
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Nov 30, 2023
Does "vile" have different meanings in different cultures?
The negative connotation is generally consistent across cultures.
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Nov 30, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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